Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson for Week of January 29, "Principles of Increase and Good Success"

Monday, January 30, 2017
Bryan Hudson
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PROGRAM CONTENTBible Teaching: “Principles of Increase and Good Success”Productivity Technology Tip: Intro to Self-PublishingPrevious programs, conversations, and teachings at www.firmfoundationtv.net

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Free Indeed! Free Forever! Debt Free in 2017!

Friday, January 20, 2017
Bryan Hudson
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John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants. ~ Isaac NewtonBecause of Christ, we are free indeed and free forever. Freedom is a treasure and a legacy. Freedom is a treasure because it is valuable. Freedom is a legacy because we did not create it, we only inherited it. Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand. We have the responsibility to live a certain way and we have the responsibility to share it.When Jesus says He makes people “free indeed” he is talking about freedom in the total sense, at every level. On the national holiday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Junior we not only celebrate the work of the man but of an entire movement of which he is the most visible figure. He is a figure that cannot be hidden, though many others are hidden in history. The civil rights movement was more than a movement of freedom, it was a movement of the exercise of the rights of freedom. Because key people in the movement were believers in Christ, such as Rev. Dr. King, they were “free indeed.” They possessed the spiritual and moral strength to resist the oppression of wrong and evil people and work to bring about change. People will religion are not free indeed. Only people with the freedom that Christ gives are fully free.Because they were (and we are) free indeed, they conducted their fight on the highest moral ground. “We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.” Rev. Dr. KIngBecause of Christ and his preparation, Dr. King possesed the spiritual and intellectual capacity to be prophetic and proactive. He and the ministers who led the movement were closer to God and smarter than their oppressors. This is another advantage of possessing freedom through Christ. Psalms 119:98 reads, Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.In our text, the Jewish people, who would later come into the fullness of freedom through Christ, only had their past to embrace. They said, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” The people assumed they possessed all the freedom they needed. We don’t want to make that same mistake in only leaning on religion or what people define as freedom.We don’t know what we don’t know. That is why Christ came to show us more. He did not bring more religion into the world, He brought the power of a relationship with God through the New Birth…this is the source of “free indeed.”Here in the 21st-century many people are not living in the full measure of freedom because they have not experienced freedom indeed through Christ. The Civil Rights movement was not a secular movement, though it affected society. Prayer was the foundation of the movement…something that many historical accounts omit. History has recast the movement as a secular movement. No, it was a God inspired movement led by preachers and believers in Christ. It was a movement that included not only black men and women, but courageous white men and women. The Civil Rights movement was one of the most prophetic movements of the 20th-century because God was honored and people were lifted to a higher place.Freedom Definition in the civil context: The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint; Absence of subjection to domination or despotic government.A despot is: A ruler who has total power and who often uses that power in cruel and unfair ways.Freedom in the spiritual context: The power to know God, love God, love others, act in accordance with the will and Word of God. It is the power to be free from sin, demonic, and carnal influence to fulfill the Character of Christ.“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.” (M.L. King) One cannot think and talk in this manner unless one is “free indeed.”We Are Free Indeed and Free Forever. That is why we are empowered and can empower others.Definition of empower: Help people gain power or authority to do something greatFree indeed is also financial freedom: "Free indeed" must also include freedom from debt. The Bible says “The borrower is servant to the lender.” (Prov. 22:7) People who are free indeed should also be free from debt. Ultimately, we are stewards, not owners. A steward is someone who manages the property and affairs of an owner.1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.Everything we have is a gift from God. We have a tendency to act like we “earned” things, but that’s not the full truth. Without our life, time, talents and opportunities provided by the Lord, we wouldn’t have anything! This is true also for people who do not acknowledge Him in their lives.Consistent with freedom in the fullest sense of its meaning, I am pleased to announce that in 2017 New Covenant Church will be completely debt free! This is an expression of “free indeed.” I want to also share that if you are connected to this ministry through your prayers and support, you share in our collective blessing and breakthrough!If you want to learn more about our 2017 "Building His Kingdom" breakthrough, visit the NCC website.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;Because of Christ, we are free indeed and free forever. _____________

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Join New Covenant Church for 21 Days of Victory! Prayer & Fasting January 9-29

Sunday, January 08, 2017
Bryan Hudson
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The purpose of this season of fasting and prayer is to establish God's order in our lives, strengthen our faith, and open our hearts to hear from God. This fast will involve skipping at least one meal per day and anything else God directs you to change from your normal routine. Under grace, there is no "formula" or "rules" for fasting that "moves" God. Fasting does not move God, it moves us! Prayer connects you to God. Fasting disconnects you from the world. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and follow your faith decisions within this season of 21 days.

SCRIPTURAL REASONS FOR FASTING

Fasting & Prayer for Humility

Psalm 35:13-14 “I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest. I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.”

Fasting & Prayer to Overcome Bondage & Selfishness

Isaiah 58:3-7 “Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”

Fasting for Greater Anointing and Spiritual Ability

Matthew 17:14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic[c] and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief;[d] for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

SCRIPTURES ABOUT FASTING & PRAYER

Matthew 6:16-18 ESV

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Acts 14:23 ESV

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Acts 13:2-3 ESV

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

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Be Empowered. Empower Others. (Audio with Notes)

Wednesday, January 04, 2017
Bryan Hudson
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INFLUENCE Micah 4:1, Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. 2 Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.”

EMPOWERED Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

EMPOWERING Colossians 1:10, So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Definition of empower: Help people gain power or authority to do something great

What can we help people do or become that they could not do without our help?

Who are you becoming because of what Jesus did in you? What does God want you to do that you have not already done?

How much of what we've ruled out in our thinking has been influenced by our background, education, and expectations of others?

Watch this video excerpt by Ken Robinson from a TED Talk on the importance of empowering children.

I listened to motivational speaker who described human nature. His description was accurate, but he did not describe a believer in Christ whose nature has been changed.

He summed up human nature as follows: There are two controlling forces in your life is PAIN and PLEASURE. People are always trying to avoid pain and experience pleasure. It is called the "pleasure/pain principle."

He said that before every decision one makes, people unconsciously ask themselves: "Will this lead to pain or pleasure? Our body is biologically programmed to avoid pain. So we will do whatever to avoid pain."

This is a reaction of fear rather than a godly response to faith. Seeking pleasure is something called "hedonism." A productive and godly life involves sometimes choosing a path that leads to pain. Jesus understood this: Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus understood human nature and said "fear not" over and over again.

The fear of pain leads to procrastinate? People think taking action will be more painful then if we do nothing. Even if we think getting the job done will create pleasure, the more immediate feeling is pain. As such, we remain immobilized.Sometimes if you wait too long, then it’s too painful not to take action and you start moving toward the goal.

HOW TO BE EMPOWERED AND EMPOWER OTHERS.

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV

On one level December 31 and January 1 is only going from one day to the next day. On another level, we mark the New Year as something special because we value time and purpose. Because we reference our past life in terms of years, we think about our future life in the same way. We are creatures of time with eternal purpose. Every year is full of blessings and challenges, joys and sorrows, with people added and people who depart. Sometimes a year includes extraordinary gains and losses.

Through Isaiah, the Lord offers profound counsel for 2017:

1. PEACE “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old." Let the past stay in the past. Do not live in the past or look back as if you had no bright future.

2. PURPOSE"Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?" No matter how much you have done or how old you are, God is still doing new things. It will "spring forth" meaning that the "new thing" will come quickly. You need to "know it" in faith, not just wish for it.

3. PROVISION & EMPOWERMENT"I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert." God can do the impossible for you. He will pave a road through your wilderness. He will provide a river through your desert....provision in a dry place.

Expect a prosperous and fruitful new year!

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What is Mental Health? (Video)

Tuesday, January 03, 2017
Bryan Hudson
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My media firm, Vision Communications, working with three coalitions of pastors/churches along with our Marion County Public Health Department and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, produced a three-part video series on mental health awareness called, Healthy Mind Healthy City. Please watch, be informed, and share this web page with others: http://www.healthymindhealthycity.orgPart Three of the series includes a report and interview regarding the innovative work being done by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to recognize behavior health as a non-criminal component of law enforcement.